Victoria Pham has plenty of stories from her travels around the world. She grew up in Vietnam, where she said she was so poor her family couldn’t afford tweezers. So, she and her friends used part of a plant to “thread” each others’ eyebrows.
“I can’t believe people make a living here doing that,” she said.
She went to high school in New Orleans and loved interacting with people as a cashier in a grocery store. She eventually owned a Vietnamese grocery store in Louisiana.
But then, she got the idea that she wanted to do nails. The idea has stuck.
“I just love it,” Pham said. “I even dream about nails.”
She’s done nails for years, owning a nail shop in Maryland before moving to Tupelo.
Her business, Nail Design, was inside Gloster Creek Village for 10 years, before she moved to the current South Gloster location four years ago. The business now is in a shopping center with Kool Smiles, across the street from the former Blockbuster location.
The business offers spa pedicures with massaging chairs. Packages vary but Pham offers sea salt scrubs, chocolate masks and hot stone massages for feet and legs. She also does eyebrow waxing and threading for facial hair.
Pham, husband Danny Truong and their employees also do nail art, manicures and faux nails, such as solar nails, acrylic tips and dipped nails.
Pham said her clients include more men than you’d think. They typically get pedicures and get their fingernails buffed but not painted.
Nail Design also does group parties, which are popular for bridal events and girls night out activities.
Plus, Pham said the business’ location makes it a prime spot for hospital-related visits.
“Family members come here to get stress off,” she said.
Carlie Kollath